Kia Niro EV concept teased for CES

Kia announced an all-new EV concept that will debut at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show next week. The South Korean carmaker will also present the brand’s vision for future mobility at the CES.

The new EV Concept teased in the images previews an all-electric Niro crossover. The concept represents the next step in the brand’s ongoing journey to electrification combining Kia’s design strengths with a highly efficient battery-electric powertrain, says the Seoul-based carmaker. The EV concept will also demonstrate a never-seen-before human-machine interface (HMI) and an advanced new ‘motion graphic’ lighting system, boasts Kia. The carmaker also believes that these technologies that will be showcased at the CES stage will potentially make its way into production vehicles in the coming years.

Alongside the new concept, Kia will also reveal a range of new in-car features. Kia’s new interactive ‘Beyond Autonomous Driving’ will showcase the combination of existing and future technologies. It will help the carmaker to showcase their plans for vehicle autonomy and mobility. Kia will present three interactive, cockpit-style exhibits as well. These include new and advanced driver assistance technologies and an updated HMI functions, as well as the world’s first in-car 5G connection.

Dr Woong-cheol Yang, vice chairman and head of Hyundai-Kia, commenting on the CES exhibits, said, “Virtual reality, self-driving cars, and full vehicle connectivity were all once considered technologies of the distant future. As they rapidly become a reality, Kia is exploring how to adapt these new technologies for its customers. At CES, we will share our strategy and vision for future mobility, and exhibit a range of advanced technologies that our customers can look forward to.”

While technical details of the new electric concept haven’t been disclosed, the powertrain is expected to be an advanced iteration of the all-new Kona EV. The new electric crossover promises an electric range of 330km from its 64 kWh battery pack but it can also be had with a 40 kWh pack as well. The Niro, on the other hand, is available in a mild-hybrid and a plug-in hybrid guise already. If not the Kona EV powertrain, the new electric concept could directly scrounge the same powertrain from the Ioniq EV. The latter is available with the same battery pack as well.